Downtown Kitchener, Ont. office building being turned into rental units
For the first time in the City of Kitchener, a downtown office high-rise is being converted into rental units.
The building at 22 Frederick Street housed City of Kitchener administration for years but now the building is undergoing a transition to housing, making it the third time the building has been recycled for a new purpose.
“I think it’ll bring a lot of good value for the community,” said Josef Jakubovic, co-owner of the building’s property owner Europro.
The vacant office building will be turned into 91 rental units with a restaurant on the ground floor which will be accessible to residents and the public.
“22 Frederick is an ideal point tower configuration that the distance between the core and the window is a responsible distance to be able to provide residential units,” said Laird Robertson, president creative director at Neo Architecture Inc.
According to Europro, it will take 12 to 18 months to renovate the space into 91 rental units. The plan for the 12-storey building is to have nine units per floor with a mix of one and two bedroom units.
“I think it’s harder to do than people give it credit for because when you have a blank slate, you have to make sure you are maximizing space,” said Jesse Nathanson, vice president of Europro. “This building…worked very well for the conversion. We’re in for a tender right now, we’re estimating north of $20 million.”
A look inside the building at 22 Fredrick Street in Kitchener on June 5, 2023. (CTV News/Hannah Schmidt)
How much it will cost per unit is still up in the air, according to Europro, as they’re waiting to see what the market looks like at the time they are complete.
Additional parking spaces will also be offered to renters of the units.
“So there’s ample parking now and in the future, paid parking obviously,” Nathanson said. “So we’ll be able to accommodate residents’ needs with parking especially with Market Square Right across the street.”
Robertson said the building was left vacant for over a year, making it a perfect opportunity to convert into housing as demand for office space remains low.
“There’s a housing crisis, we all know about the housing crisis…an incredible demand for housing,” he said. “So conversion allows to sort of advance the time frame of getting housing on the market.”
While this may be the first office to housing transition in the area, the City of Kitchener believes it’s likely more vacant spaces will be converted into residential units amid shortages.
“It’s certainly something we are seeing a growing interest in and from an environmental perspective, it’s a great opportunity to reuse an existing building,” said Garrett Stevenson, director of planning at the City of Kitchener. “It’s repurposing existing floor area to a much needed use which is housing.”
Europro said the completion of the renovation work is expected mid to late 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.